Flashbacks of 2024 with the defense unable to get off the field, but Bowles DIRECTLY impacted the outcome of that game and did so in a way that is very often subject to criticism on these boards.
1. He did NOT go for 2
Not sure why he should have in that scenario, but IF the outcome was different - the outcome being the key point - the critics would be chirping "why would he leave it in the hands of the deense?" He went "conservative," even with his STs giving up big returns and his defense seemingly unable to stop the Seahawks winning FG and it paid off because . . .
2. He called a very well-executed BLITZ that ended up in an interception.
And there were multiple things about the blitz that IF unsuccessful would have had everyone up in arms. Watch the blitz play out and you see (for better or worse) classic Bowles blitz
https://www.buccaneers.com/video/lavonte-int-bucs-seahawks-nfl-week-5-big-play-2025
A. The Seahawks don't account for Winfield and TRIPLE TEAM Hall . . lol.
B. Reddick DROPS IN COVERAGE. LOL, I can imagine reading "Reddick in COVERAGE . . ."
C. Vea isn't rushing as much as he is just dragging the Seahawks o-line to the Bucs left, so the play isnt overwhelming them with numbers as much as its CONFUSING them
D. The Bucs had the play completely sniffed out. Watch closely. Darnold is focused on Kupp the entire time. LVD (who was getting beaten often) slides over and drops right into where the pass is going, a pass that never had much of a chance. Its 2nd and 2. Darnold should just take the sack or throw it at Kupps feet, but the play caught him flat footed. and that is partly because. . .
E. Rainy day
Bowles held the blitz back (something some here dispute he does) until that moment. This is Bowles quoted in PR's article discussing the "rainy day" blitz that "saved the day."
"“We were saving that blitz for a rainy day, and we brought it out,” Bowles said. “We’ve been running it a lot, and we didn’t run it the entire game. Everybody was waiting on it and it finally came. [Lavonte] made the veteran play that he made, and he caught the ball just like [Jamel] Dean did [two weeks ago], which he had trouble in practice catching them. It was a heck of a ball game, and for our leader to step up and make that play was huge.”
So, Bowles deserves blame for the defense's poor 3rd down performance, but also CREDIT for THE pivotal play that changed the outcome of the game, everything from the timing to the deign (that worked) was Bowles.
Bucs defense is playing some good situational football but to be become a good or even elite defense you have to shut the door. Sorry PR staff but Diaby and Reddick almost sacking the QB isn't good enough.
Bucs are two edge rushers and ILB away from being a very good defense. But I am willing to see how Reddick and Diaby perform down the stretch.
Sorry PR staff but Diaby and Reddick almost sacking the QB isn't good enough.
Agree completely.
They are both there and neither one makes the play? Unfortunately, this seems to be who Diaby is because hes often unable to finish. Definitely hope to be wrong about that, but over and over again it seems to be the case.
and ILB away from being a very good defense
So far at least, they swung AND MISSED on going with Dennis and LVD. It is s worth noting that the Seattle TE was on a 1-3 catch per game average and in this game he had 7 catches and two TDs.
And the "weakness" in the pre-game scout should be outside with Dean and Morrison out, but they clearly went after our ILBs (just like we went after theirs). Just like last season, that film is out there so expect every team to do the same until we stop it.
There is no other option.
Darnold struggles under pressure and this is the game Bowles decides to not be blitz happy.
Makes no sense
Good blitz to force the pick but there should have been 10 more of those. The defense was atrocious
defense was absolute ass in the second half yesterday.
even when we scored to tie it up, i said, "Why the heck would we go for 2? There's over a minute left for Darnold to drive 30 yards and win the game on a field goal"
That INT was a great bounce our way. Defense had to make a play and they did. Season changing type play
and to be clear, i know we like to blame Bowles but the players need to perform. to be fair, i'm sure Seahawks fans are losing their mind over their defense today as well
We need to get Morrison and Dean back out there.
I complained profusely this offseason about not addressing the MLB position. Last year I was sick and tired of seeing teams convert third and long right down the middle on us. Not surprised this is happening again. Fingers crossed neither gets injured cause just like last year there is zero depth behind them.
I complained profusely this offseason about not addressing the MLB position. Last year I was sick and tired of seeing teams convert third and long right down the middle on us. Not surprised this is happening again. Fingers crossed neither gets injured cause just like last year there is zero depth behind them.
Yeah, the defensive savior hasn't been much of a savior. The MLB position has been poor for years now. They have had chances to upgrade the position and have not. That is on the GM, HC, & DC.
I complained profusely this offseason about not addressing the MLB position. Last year I was sick and tired of seeing teams convert third and long right down the middle on us. Not surprised this is happening again. Fingers crossed neither gets injured cause just like last year there is zero depth behind them.
Yeah, the defensive savior hasn't been much of a savior.
Biggs, you cant post without trying to troll lmao
the crazy thing is I could list a half dozen football things you have gotten flat wrong . . THIS SEASON
MLB will continue to be an issue this season. They wont...but they absolutely look at bringing in another edge rusher via trade. I'd be willing to give up a 2-3rd for a guy like Trey Hendrickson.
The Bucs window is open NOW and they need to go get it.
MLB will continue to be an issue this season. They wont...but they absolutely look at bringing in another edge rusher via trade. I'd be willing to give up a 2-3rd for a guy like Trey Hendrickson.
The Bucs window is open NOW and they need to go get it.
Ronde Barber even agrees.
I would be surprised though. pleasantly surprised!
Good blitz to force the pick but there should have been 10 more of those.
Definitely fair points. if you listen to Bowles one reason that key blitz was effective was because they had not used it.
I am not sure this is the case, its just an observation, but when Bowles loses his CBs he seem much more likely to go vanilla, keep everything in front. For example, Parrish goes outside hes no longer providing the blitzes from the last game but neither is someone else.
35 points allowed = "masterpiece"
That's some world-class leghumping.
and ILB away from being a very good defense
So far at least, they swung AND MISSED on going with Dennis and LVD. It is s worth noting that the Seattle TE was on a 1-3 catch per game average and in this game he had 7 catches and two TDs.
And the "weakness" in the pre-game scout should be outside with Dean and Morrison out, but they clearly went after our ILBs (just like we went after theirs). Just like last season, that film is out there so expect every team to do the same until we stop it.
There is no other option.
Deion Jones is competent. Nothing special but he can do enough. Dennis will probably still receive playing time but I think he will be rotated with D. Jones more and more as the season progresses. LVD has been up and down this year and it definitely looks like his last year but if he catches his second wind maybe he can become more solid down the stretch.
and ILB away from being a very good defense
So far at least, they swung AND MISSED on going with Dennis and LVD. It is s worth noting that the Seattle TE was on a 1-3 catch per game average and in this game he had 7 catches and two TDs.
And the "weakness" in the pre-game scout should be outside with Dean and Morrison out, but they clearly went after our ILBs (just like we went after theirs). Just like last season, that film is out there so expect every team to do the same until we stop it.
There is no other option.
Deion Jones is competent. Nothing special but he can do enough. Dennis will probably still receive playing time but I think he will be rotated with D. Jones more and more as the season progresses. LVD has been up and down this year and it definitely looks like his last year but if he catches his second wind maybe he can become more solid down the stretch.
This brings us back to Trask's point, which might have been muddled by the "Mean Girls" trolling (lol), but that was, essentially, that the Bucs had all their defensive eggs at LB in a very tiny basket.
They are running with it now and maybe Jones helps.